I got the frantic call Friday evening as I was dining on lobster at Fleming's with one of my associates. The female voice said: "George got a court order today forcing Gina to get rid of Dennis Rodman's cars and be out of the house by July 3."

The caller was a relative of Gina Peterson, the ex-wife of current "Real Housewives of Orange County" husband and sugar daddy George Peterson. The well-heeled developer married Mother of the Year Lauri Waring last year in a ceremony not attended by this writer.

Now George was kicking his ex out of the house they built together - with all of one week's notice. Ain't love grand?

"Give me 90 minutes?" I told the caller. The Chardonnay had just arrived.

By 9:30 p.m., I was in Gina Peterson's living room. It is a massive home, about 5,500 square feet, perched on a hill in Laguna Niguel. Original (or original-looking) artwork was on the walls, but there were signs of deterioration - the door in the powder room was missing the knob and the brass fixtures were seriously corroded. The downstairs needed paint.

George moved out six years ago and took up with a woman who worked for him - lavishing her with a 6-carat diamond. Later, he pursued Lauri Waring. Since then, Gina has stayed in the house with, at various times, their four children and - briefly and amazingly - Josh Waring, Lauri's son from a previous marriage.

It is unclear where Gina's and George's kids are staying. Per a gag order, they can't talk about them. I can say I saw no sign of their minor children.

Gina fixed us screwdrivers as she unloaded her latest woes - of which there are many.

Sitting in this disheveled mansion with this troubled woman I've described before as Angelina Jolie had Angelina Jolie been blessed with good looks, I was thinking this vaguely reeked of "Sunset Boulevard," were it not for the fact that she did look like Angelina Jolie and nothing like Gloria Swanson and on my best day I couldn't pass for William Holden if you were looking at me through a kaleidoscope.

Oh, and the fact my associate had tagged along. He was drinking Jack Daniel's.

The house is apparently finally being sold, and George's attorney was in court Friday to evict Gina.

He got Judge Nancy Pollard to issue an order demanding that by 5 p.m. that very day, everyone other than Gina had to be out of the house (she's had houseguests in the past); that by 8 p.m., all of her pets had to be out of the house, including a pit bull and a mastiff; and that, also by 8 p.m., Rodman's cars had to be off the property.

Gina herself was generously given until tonight at 5 p.m. to pack up and get out. George was also given permission to go into the home and remove artwork.

Why was Gina kicked out of a house she has a financial stake in? The ownership of the home is complicated. Her name is not on the deed, although there appears to be acknowledgment that she and/or her attorneys are due at least some of the proceeds from the eventual sale. She always knew it would be sold, but swears she had no inkling a sale might be imminent until notice of the court hearing Friday. Giving her a week.

I left a message for George yesterday at his office - his secretary said he was in - but he had not returned my call as of 5 p.m. I've always said I thought he was a bully. This latest stunt seems to prove it.

Gina's immediate problem Friday was getting rid of the Rodman cars.

Back in April, Gina accused Rodman - who she'd been seeing on and off for a few years - of assaulting her at an L.A. hotel. He's been charged with three misdemeanors arising from the incident, including spousal battery. His publicist told the media he'd been drinking that night.

Rodman's in Florida now and the two are no longer together. Gina told me. "I tried to save him." This is a woman who, admittedly, has not made good choices.

Rodman left two cars behind with Gina: A tan H-1 Hummer with his likeness airbrushed on the back, and a white Mercedes with purple flames. Neither in running condition.

Tomorrow: Part II. Gina deals with the Rodman cars; Lauri pays a visit. And a Mike Tyson moment!

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